Skinny Minnie: Finding a Balance Between Food and Real Life

When the baby bug first bit, I decided to try to lose some weight before subjecting my body to growing a tiny person. I needed extra motivation, so I asked my mom to keep me accountable. We decided to set up a trip to Disney World as our big reward at the end of a certain time. It would be our “Skinny Minnie” girls’ weekend at the world’s happiest theme park.

Well, that was two babies and more than three years ago. The body has gone, come, gone, and come again. This time, I took a “Skinny Minnie” trip at the tail-end of my 30-day, clean eating challenge. It wasn’t planned this way, as revealed by the Mickey-Mouse-shaped ice cream sandwich I shared with George (Olivia got more than enough of Grammy’s).

We visited Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival. For future reference, Epcot isn’t necessarily the best park for very small children. We started at “Turtle Talk” with Crush the sea turtle à la Finding Nemo. Well, for some reason, the cartoon turtle wasn’t a hit with my kiddos.

Then, because George loved the Barnstormer roller coaster at Magic Kingdom, I thought, thought he might like Test Track. Well, uh, strike two. In case you haven’t experienced it, Test Track is basically a 3-year-old nightmare in the dark at high speeds in a demon car. Good times scarring my son for life. Hopefully not.

However, we generally had a great day, regardless of what Epcot didn’t have to offer. Shoot, my son was thrilled to drink from a water fountain. And watch toy trains circle a track surrounded by tiny, plastic people. And I’m OK with those Disney-inspired memories. Oh, and the precious ones he and Olivia made with my parents, of course.

Now, back to the Skinny-Minnie situation…

I have never done a protein-shake, replace-two-meals-a-day dieting situation. I always thought they sounded ridiculous and offered waaay too little food to sustain my life. Plus, frankly, I didn’t want to be told what to do. As I mentioned in my last post about this (30 days ago), all of my friends were doing it. And, yes, depending on which bridge, I might consider jumping off one if they were doing it as well.

Thankfully, these last 30 days were paired with a bible study on the book Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. I highly recommend reading this book. I’ve been flabbergasted by how many times the Bible addresses food issues. I was and continue to be controlled by food in so many ways, and I was blind to them before. As the book says, “We were made to crave God, not food.” Amen, sister friend.

I’ve come out of the study with a new life verse. It applies in nearly every situation, but, right now, I need it to apply to my health in regards to what I eat.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV

The very next version speaks about food and the stomach and God being over them both. Y’all, I can eat that piece of cake. It is 100% permissible (unless you have some crazy food allergy, then please disregard what I’m saying here). But is it beneficial? And am I mastered by something other than Christ?

Honestly, even writing that last paragraph feels a little silly. It’s still hard for me to believe that food can really be that big of a deal. Like, seriously? Eating dessert can be a sin? Let’s talk about real sins, like murder, adultery, stealing, etc. But sugar?

It’s so hard to take this seriously. To believe it has a hold on people.

But, y’all, look around. There are serious food addictions at every turn. And they don’t always manifest themselves in eating disorders. Caffeine and sugar are fairly obvious addictions, I think, but I’ve had different ones. After the kids go to bed (especially for those glorious simul-naps), I struuuggle to avoid treating myself with food. Or if I have a long day with the kids, and they’re finally down for the night, I absolutely can’t stop thinking about which snack I need. In the past, it never occurred to me to question that thought. Why should I? Food can’t truly be that big of a deal. Is it even a problem?

Folks, if there’s anything, anything taking over my mind and thoughts in a way as all-consuming as food does, it’s an idol in my life. Hands down. When I worked in a cubicle, the absolute highlight of my day was my lunch break. And frozen dinners aren’t even all that exciting. Food has always been alongside every celebration, every sad circumstance, every meaningful moment. I honestly don’t know how to have a social event without food involved. Why is that?

Therefore, it’s time to make a change. God has more planned for me than a food addiction. Obviously, there’s more going on here than a number on a scale or a number on my jean’s tag. I have bigger things to do, to ponder, and to consider than what I’m going to eat for dinner. And, yes, I still feel silly even admitting this. But it’s such a bigger problem than we—as well-fed Americans—are willing to admit or care to notice. Y’all, most of us watch hours of other people eating food (hullo, Food Network!). Does anyone else find this strange?

I’m just tired of it. I’m only 29, and I’m already tired of it.

Now that my 30 days are over, I’m nervous. What next? Will I just pack the 10 pounds back on when the protein powder runs out? What will life look like now?

Well, I’m taking it one meal, one choice at a time. It’s time to take a stand. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and I was bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20). And so were you. And I’m ready to give glory to God for my health. Thank you, Father, for opening my eyes.

What about you? Does any of this ring true? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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